Cathedral music chief to leave

WESTMINSTER Cathedral's Master of Music, Mr Stephen Cleobury, is to be the new musical director of King's College, Cambridge. He will succeed Philip Ledger, who is to be principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Mr Cleobury, an Anglican, became Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral in January 1979, in succession to Colin Mawby. He had previously been sub-organist of Westminster Abbey. At Westminster Cathedral he has maintained the choir's high standards in modern and traditional Catholic music.
He has, in fact, shown himself to be a worthy successor to Catholics in the post, such as George Malcolm, under whose supervision the choir attained new standards of excellence.
His new post at Cambridge can be seen as a musical promotion. Thele, he vvilthe following in th footsteps of many eminent directors of music, including David Willcocks and Boris Ord. Mr Cleobury will take up his new position towards the end of this year. This week Mr Cleobury said he had no idea who might succeed him. But the post has been advertised and could attract a number of up-and-coming choirmasters and organists in the Catholic world.
Speculation may be premature, but Philip Duffy at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, or Christopher Walker at Clifton Cathedral are two names that could be front runners if they chose to apply.